back toward Riddle's. The whole, except Major Burnet's command, encamped on Scullyville Prairie night of 30th, while General Gano and MeCurtain bivouacked at James' Fork, near Wall's Mill.

At sunrise on the 31st the line of march was taken up by both columns, that under my immediate command preceded by Wells' battalion. The Creeks, under Major Barnett, were detached at Scullyville, accompanied by Captain Marston, acting assistant adjutant-general on my staff, and proceeded by the river road to Poteau Bottom, opposite (west) Fort Smith. The remainder of the command formed a junction at Wat. Folsom's, on Towson road, near Cedar Prairie. General Gano, in accordance with previous arrangements, was here detached with MeCurtain's battalion of Choctaws, and both proceeded to Massard Prairie by the road leading from McCarty's place, seven miles south of Fort Smith. General Watie's command, Colonel Folsom's command, Wells' battalion, and Howell's section advanced under my personal direction on the main Fort Smith road. General Watie was sent forward with guides to drive in the enemy's pickets on the main road leading directly to one of the principal works in front of Fort Smith, at Negro Hill, and also on the Line road to the garrison, while the section of Howell's battery, commanded by Captain Howell, and a section of Lee's light howitzer battery, commanded by Capt. John T. Humphreys, supported by the Choctaw Brigade, First Creek Regiment, and Wells' battalion, were posted at the south end of the lane leading from Harman Mickles' to the old church and grave-yard on the hill overlooking the open field on the north toward Fort Smith. General Watie executed the order given him with his accustomed gallantry and promptness, sending Colonel Bell, with First Cherokee Regiment, on the main road and Colonel Adair on the road to the left known as the Line road, both detachments charging with the gallant impetuosity for which they and their men are noted. He not only routed the Federal pickets, but ran them up to the line of their intrenchments near Fort Smith, and returning the men sat down to the plentiful dinner just prepared for the Federals at their camp.

The enemy having rallied soon began to show themselves on the road, and some sharp skirmishing ensued. The First Creek Regiment was ordered forward to support Colonel Bell, which they obeyed with an alacrity and enthusiasm highly creditable to both officers and men. I would state here that the Second Creek and Seminole Regiments xhibited the samespirit, also expressing a willingness to storm the town from the west side if it was my desire. Wells' battalion was ordered to the Line road, where it rendered important service, though not under tre, in guarding that road after General Watie and Colonel Adair had crossed over on the main road to a position near the forks of the road at Mill Creek, near the Gum Springs. Soon after General Watie reported the enemy advancing in force, having driven in the Cherokee pickets, but was feeling his way very cautiously.

Leaving the reserve (Howell's section and First and Second Choctaw) at Mickles', under Colonel Folsom, Captain Humphreys was ordered forward to General Watie's position and General Gano to cross over from Massard Prairie and join me on the main road to Fort Smith. Having arrived at the camp lately occupied by the enemy I found Brigadier-General Watie with his command in position on the hill south of the spring. General Gano soon arrived, and Captain Humphreys, with his light battery, was advanced and opened on the enemy, then

3RR-VOL XLI, PT I

some 600 or 800 yards in front. A portion of Gano's brigade was thrown out as flankers, ordered to move forward, supported by the Cherokees, who had been previously dismounted. The enemy were driven back and took a position upon a high ridge under cover of the guns at Negro Hill. Captain Humphreys, with his light battery, followed then and kept up a galling fire, which I could plainly see told with consid erable effect among the cavalry on the road.

The enemy soon brought up a four-gun battery (Rabb's; I suppose) and commenced a furious cannonade upon our light howitzers, the shot and shell passing harmlessly over our heads for some time. Captain Humphreys, being so unequally matched, was ordered to withdraw, and in the act of doing so a shell exploded directly amid the battery horses killing 3, wounding 1, cutting off the leg of one of the men. Anothe shot swept off the head from the shoulders of one of Gano's men. M escort, under Lieutenant Johnson, succeeded, under a very heavy fire in cutting the dead horses loose from the gun and leading it off wit one horse, assisted by the men pushing the carriage along, withou further loss.

It was now nearly dark. The enemy's infantry quite near. The under growth being thick, their numbers and strength could not be ascer tained. Numerous roads by which we could be flanked and the infantr operate to advantage upon my cavalry gave them great advantage Orders were therefore given to withdraw to Mickles', where the reserv was still posted in anticipation of the possibility of the enemy followin in force. General Gano with his brigade constituted the rear guar and were directed to burn the commissary stores and camp of th enemy on retiring, which was done about dark. The amount of store destroyed, after our troops had helped themselves to what they coul bring off, is estimated in our currency at $130,000.

A portion of the Cherokee troops (dismounted) had advanced in the brush some distance on the left and could not be readily found. Majo Howland was directed to find and bring them out. It seems the retired in good order and safely on the approach of night without orde having reached them. All retired in good order and without the lea haste quietly to the reserve, and then the whole moved off to Ceda Prairie, about two miles south, and encamped for the night.

The enemy, so far from following, appeared not even to have know as ascertained from deserters, that we had retired, but retreated to the intrenchments and remained there under arms all night. Deserte also report that the fire from the light battery was very effective.

Colonel Judson, Sixth Kansas Cavalry, was wounded in one leg b the explosion of a shell; also several others, and two ambulance-loa of their dead were carried from the field, supposed to contain 8 ог bodies.

Our loss, 1 killed (James Dement, Hardeman's regiment Texas ca alry), 5 wounded, one mortally (Wammack, a Cherokee, of the batter I would return thanks in this connection to Assistant Surgeon Fis of the battery, and his party for the promptness with which th brought up the ambulance for the wounded within short range of t enemy's battery.

While General Gano occupied an elevated position near Massa Prairie Lieutenant-Colonel McCurtain and his Choctaw battalion scour the prairie for the purpose of attracting attention, and, if possible, dra out the enemy. In this we failed, but McCurtain captured 3 regul Federal soldiers and 8 Arkansans. He also brought off some hors and a drove of beef-cattle, with all which he retired to Mrs. Stevens', about two miles south of the forks of the Line and Towson roads.

On this occasion, as on all former ones requiring judgment and bravery, this officer rendered important service.

The Creeks, under Major Barnett, and a few Cherokees, under Capt. Samuel H. Gunter, accompanied by Captain Marston, had, during the day, made their way to the Poteau and fired across into the garrison at Fort Smith, creating, evidently, great excitement and some consternation. Learning that the Poteau was backed up from [the] Arkansas, so that nothing could be accomplished in that direction, I ordered the Creeks to join me at Mickles', where Howell and the Choctaws were stationed, and they arrived just as we were moving off to Cedar Prairie. Captain Gunter was left in Poteau Bottom to watch the enemy.

Next morning we retired, General Watie taking the road to Scullyville after crossing Poteau at Hardaway's Ford. Gano's brigade, the Choctaws, Wells' battalion, and Howell's section returned to Buck Creek.

Soon after leaving Cedar Prairie heavy cannonading was heard in the direction of Fort Smith, which proved to be caused by Captain Gunter and a few Cherokees amusing themselves by shooting at the Federals across Poteau, whereupon a shelling would come, the little party quietly changing position and enjoying the fun, until the enemy were tired of blazing away at their supposed hiding-place. Then they would fire from a different point, which would again bring out the big guns, and so on for the most of the day, which we could plainly hear at Buck Creek, twenty-five miles distant.

Gunter and others here reported the Federals crossing to the north side of [the] Arkansas. In fact, Captain Marston had reported the same the evening before. I supposed the movement to be merely that of Union refugees crossing to take the train to Fort Scott. General Watie, how ever, having advised me that his picket at mouth of Poteau and at Rock Ford, near Boyd's Mill, heard only four drums at tattoo and no reveille, I determined to send General Watie back to Poteau Bottom and General Gano to Massard Prairie for the purpose of ascertaining whether the enemy were really evacuating, and to hurry them out in case such. proved to be the case. Parties who had seen the movements on Arkansas River were so confident that an evacuation would take place that (contrary to my own impression) I concluded to order up my trains and remain. It was soon ascertained that the exodus of the Union families and baggage was the solution of appearances on Arkansas River, and we moved back slowly, resting wherever grass and water could be hadthe troops under General Watie to San Bois (Bill Cooper's place), General Gano via Holston's to Riddle's, and the remainder with myself to our old camp on Limestone Prairie-General Gano bringing off with lim a herd of cattle and other stock.

While resting at Buck Creek Captain Marston and Captain Gunter, with four men, swam the Arkansas, made a reconnaissance of the enemy on the north side, ascertained certainly that the enemy were not evacdating, captured two Federals with arms, horses, rigging, and greenbacks, paroling one of the prisoners wlio was badly wounded, and then Pvcrossed again, swimming the Arkansas in full view of the enemy, and arrived tired, but safely, at my camp near Chula Church, where the train had been directed to meet us, This feat is unsurpassed in the anuals of the war.

During the whole expedition, extending from the time we started our return to the train throughout six days (on three days' half rations the officers and men behaved in the best possible manner, not on under fire but in patiently bearing up against privations of no ordinan character without a murmur.

Before closing this report I cannot refrain from expressing my adn ration for the conduct of Brigadier-Generals Watie and Gano, the officers and men, and especially that of Capt. Jolin T. Humphreys al his men of the light battery, who behaved in the most gallant mann under my immediate personal observation.

Lieutenant Johnson, commanding detachment from Captain Colber company (K, First Chickasaw Regiment); Sergt. J. H. Johnson, Jou than Garrison, John Bricham, and Napoleon Mitchell were conspicuo for their bravery in bringing off the disabled piece of Lee's batter while others of the same company who constituted my escort render important assistance.

Colonel Adair, Colonel Bell, Lieutenant-Colonels Brewer, Salad Watie (son of General Watie), and others are mentioned for the bravery and good conduct by their immediate commanders, to whicl desire to call attention.

Captain Howell and the Choctaws, under Col. S. N. Folsom, havi been held in reserve, much to their disappointment, were not engage Their selection for the reserve shows my appreciation of their coura and steadiness, and that upon them the command mainly depended support in case of need, and for a nucleus upon which to rally in ca the enemy had proved more numerous and less timid than he did Fort Smith.

To the officers of my staff-Capt. B. W. Marston, acting assista adjutant-general; Lieut. T. C. Dismukes, ordnance officer; Col. Ja Coarser, military instructor of Indian division, and Mr. Cal. Thomps volunteer aide-de-camp-for their cordial and energetic assistan throughout the expedition I am under lasting obligations.

The demonstration in front of Fort Smith resulted in driving whole Union population of Sebastian County within the town, tl increasing the enemy's embarrassments on account of food, and ins isfying me that the enemy was weaker and more demoralized tha had anticipated. A vigorous attack with the whole force, thou doubtless it would have been attended with heavy loss on our side believe would have resulted in the capture of the place. It was, he ever, too hazardous after the enemy's detachments were recalled undertake any further operations in that direction. Our horses be worn down, men tired and hungry, and the force under my comma much weakened by the expiration of the term of enlistment on the p of the larger portion of the Choctaw Brigade, it was deemed advisa to fall back to the vicinity of our depot for rest, and to give time reorganizing and recruiting the Indian brigades.

Referring to accompanying reports from subordinates for furt particulars,

I am, captain, respectfully, your obedient servant,

Capt. T. M. Scott,

DOUGLAS H. COOPER,
Brigadier-General, Commanding

A. A. G., Dist. of Indian Territory, Fort Towson, C. N.

JULY 1-OCTOBER 1, 1864. - Operations against Indians in the District of

Minnesota.

Report of Brig. Gen. Henry H. Sibley, U. S. Army, commanding District of Minnesota, including operations from October 1, 1863, to October 1, 1864.

HDQRS. DIST. OF MINNESOTA, DEPT. OF THE NORTHWEST,

Saint Paul, Minn., October 10, 1864. GENERAL: In compliance with directions contained in dispatch of 5th instant, from department headquarters, I have the honor to make the following report of military operations for the year ending 1st instant:

Upon the return from the expedition under my command against the. hostile Sioux Indians in September, 1863, I was instructed to dispatch to the South all the force that could be spared from this district. Orders were accordingly issued to the Seventh, Ninth, and Tenth Minnesota Volunteers to proceed without unnecessary delay to Saint Louis. and report for duty to the commanding officer of the Department of the Missouri, and these regiments left this district accordingly on the 7th and 8th of October following.

The Sixth and Eighth Regiments were retained for the protection of the frontier, the former being for the most part posted at Forts Snelling and Ridgely, and at the out stations north of the Minnesota River, to Paynesville, and south to the Iowa line, while the companies of the Eighth garrisoned Forts Abercrombie, Ripley, and the intervening stations, and performed escort duty to the trains of public supplies. The Independent Battalion of Minnesota Volunteers, raised and commanded by Maj. E. A. C. Hatch, having been ordered to report to me for assignment to duty, was dispatched on 10th of October to Pembina, to hold in check the hostile Sioux who had retreated for safety into Her Majesty's coterminous possessions, where they could not be followed by our troops, as I had received stringent orders from General Halleck, through department headquarters, in no case to cross the boundary line with a military force. About ninety Sioux men, women, and children came across the boundary and surrendered to Major Hatch, commanding at Pembina. The battalion, with one section of mountain howitzers of Third Minnesota mixed battery, went into winter quarters at Pemtana, and remained until about the 1st of May of the present year, when I ordered Major Hatch with his command to relieve the detachments of the Eighth Regiment Minnesota Volunteers at Fort Abercrombie, and at the stations of Pomme de Terre and Alexandria, that regiment having been designated as part of the expeditionary force to join Brigadier-General Sully on the Missouri. The other three sections of the mixed gun and howitzer battery (Third Minnesota) were stationed respectively at Forts Ridgely, Snelling, and Ripley.

During the month of September, 1863, Sergeant Edwards, of the First Minnesota Mounted Rangers, was killed by a party of savages on the toad between Lake George and Paynesville. This was the only outFage committed after the close of the campaign of 1863. In that year within this district I kept employed during the winter an efficient body of Indians and half-breeds, who had proved their fidelity to the GovernInent since the outbreak of 1862, as scouts, and so disposed of them as to secure constant and reliable information of the movements of the hostile bands from time to time, and of their views and intentions.

*See also Vol. XXII, Part I, pp. 352 and 907, and Vol. XXXIV, Part I, p. 937. 61729